Spring 2002
Instructor: Dr. Robert P. Lowell
OCE 307A
Ext. 4-9472
Email: bob.lowell@eas.gatech.edu
Meeting time: TBA
Office Hours: by appointment
This course will focus various aspects of fluid flow in the earth's crust as related to various geological processes. In addition to examining fluid flow itself, transfer of heat and chemical constituents will also be considered. Topics will include: (1) crack-based vs. pore-based permeability structure in crustal rocks; (2) basic heat, fluid, and chemical transport in porous media and idealized cracks; (3) convective and double diffusive instability; (4) evolution of permeability in crustal rocks (5) multi-phase flow. The material will be applied to topics such as hydrothermal processes, ore deposits, earthquakes, and gas hydrates.
The course grade will be based on 6-10 homework sets given throughout the semester a mid-term and a final exam. The final exam may be a take home exam. Graduate students will be required to write a 10-15 page double-spaced paper on a topic of their interest and present the material in orally in class. Undergraduate students can chose to do such a paper for extra credit. I can suggest a number of suitable topics.
Grading:
Graduate students:
Homework will count 50%
Paper and presentation 20%
Mid-term exam 15%
Final exam 15%
Undergraduate students:
Homework will count 50%
Mid-term exam 25%
Final exam 25%
Undergraduate students choosing to do a paper and presentation can receive up to 20% extra credit.
There will also be homework and exam questions that will provide extra credit for undergraduate students that will be required for graduate students.